Congress Wants Toyota President To Testify In Washington

WASHINGTON -A congressional committee has asked Toyota president Akio Toyoda to testify at its hearing next week on the automaker’s recalls.

Toyoda is the grandson of the Japanese automaker’s founder. He has said he wasn’t planning to attend the hearings but would consider appearing before Congress if invited.

The Toyota executive has faced calls by some lawmakers to testify about safety problems connected to the recall of 8.5 million vehicles globally. His appearance before Congress would raise the profile of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Hearing, scheduled for Wednesday.

Toyoda has said he was planning to travel to the U.S. soon to meet with company workers and dealers.